Proto-Villanovan culture

The Proto-Villanovan culture (approximately 1175 BCE – 960 BCE) was a culture from the late Bronze Age that appeared in Italy. It was part of the larger Urnfield culture system that spread across Central Europe between 1300 and 750 BCE.

As a widespread culture, it covered many areas of Italy, including eastern Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. One of its most notable features was the way people were honored after they died — through cremation, a ritual where bodies were burned and the remains placed in special containers. This culture helps us understand how people lived and respected their traditions many years ago.

History

Origins

See also: Urnfield culture

The Protovillanovan culture was part of the larger Urnfield culture found in Central Europe. It shared many features with groups living north of the Eastern Alps, especially in Bavaria–Upper Austria and the Middle Danube.

Experts believe the Protovillanovan culture spread from places like Frattesina in Veneto, mixing with older cultures from nearby areas. Over time, its influences reached all over Italy and even into eastern Sicily.

Distribution

The Proto-Villanovan culture spread across much of the Italian Peninsula, bringing a shared way of life from the north down to eastern Sicily. You can find places where this culture lived in many parts of Italy. Some important spots include Frattesina in Veneto, Bismanthova and Ripa Calbana in Emilia-Romagna, and Cetona, Sovana, and Saturnia in Tuscany. In the south, notable locations are Ortucchio in Abruzzo and places like Timmari near Matera in Basilicata, as well as Milazzo in Sicily. Researchers have found different local styles within this culture, such as the Chiusi–Cetona group, the Tolfa–Allumiere group, and the Rome–Colli Albani group.

Settlements

Protovillanovan settlements were typically small and built on high, safe places like hills, often surrounded by walls for protection. These villages usually had around 50 to 100 people, though some larger ones could hold up to 1,000 individuals and might have been important centers.

This culture was linked to the larger Urnfield culture in Europe, showing similarities with groups in Bavaria-Upper Austria and the middle-Danube. It also shared features with the Lusatian and Canegrate cultures, and some believe it came from the earlier Terramare culture in the Po Valley. These settlements spread across much of the Italian peninsula, especially in the northern and central areas, but also appeared in Southern Italy and eastern Sicily. Important sites include Frattesina in Veneto, Bismantova and Ripa Calbana in Emilia-Romagna, Cetona and Saturnia in Tuscany, and many others across various regions.

Society

The Proto-Villanovan people showed signs of different social groups. Some people lived in bigger homes and had richer grave goods, showing that not everyone was equal. Skilled workers, especially those who made things by hand, were important in these communities.

Their economy relied on farming, raising animals, moving herds, trading, and working with metals. They traded with places around the Mediterranean, the Balkans, areas north of the Alps, and Sardinia.

They believed in certain spiritual practices. They burned people after they died and put their ashes in special clay jars shaped like two cones stuck together. These jars were often decorated and buried in the ground. Some graves had more valuable items, showing a clear difference between ordinary people and leaders.

Regionalization and development

See also: Villanovan culture, Este culture, Latial culture, and Golasecca culture

After a time when things looked the same from north to south, the Proto-Villanovan culture began to change in the Iron Age. Around 950 BC, new regional cultures started to appear. These included the Villanovan culture, Este culture, and Latial culture. While these cultures kept many traditions from the Proto-Villanovan people, they also developed their own special ways.

In northern Italy, the Golasecca culture emerged, linked with people who spoke the Lepontic language. In the Veneto area, the Este culture grew, tied to the Paleo-Veneti. The Villanovan culture appeared in central and northern Italy, connected with the Etruscans. In central Italy, the Latial culture developed, linked with the early Latins. Another group, the Terni culture, was tied to the early Umbri.

One key tradition shared by many of these cultures was the practice of cremation, which stayed the same for many years. This tradition was used by both groups who spoke Indo-European languages and those who did not, like the Etruscans. The Proto-Villanovan culture also helped shape the early Piceni and other peoples who spoke Oscan-Umbrian languages.

Genetics

A genetic study published in Science in November 2019 looked at the remains of a woman from the Proto-Villanovan culture. She was buried in Martinsicuro, Italy, between around 930 BC and 839 BC, in the area of the Picentes. The study found that she had a special maternal haplogroup called U5a2b.

Linguistic hypotheses

Although we do not have writings from this time to prove it, some believe the Proto-Villanovan culture in Italy may have been when people speaking the Italic languages arrived. These languages are part of a bigger group called Indo-European languages.

Some thinkers think these Italic speakers came from areas around Austria and Germany. Others think the culture might be linked to different groups in those places.

The Proto-Villanovan culture is also thought to be connected to people called the Proto-Veneti, who later spoke the Venetic language. Around this time, early Etruscans also developed from this culture.